LONDON

As Rishi Sunak takes over as UK's first South Asian-origin prime minister, the British public says he will be judged on his merits but not his ethnic background, color or race.

Wilt Gerthart, 51, a businessman, said it is “great” that Sunak has become prime minister.

“I think he's going be given the chance,” he said, speaking to Anadolu Agency a day after Sunak entered Number 10. At 42, Sunak is also the youngest UK prime minister in modern history.

Sunak has “landed a very horrible time to be prime minister,” Gerthart said.

“So he's got a lot of big challenges ahead of him. He's got to persuade the country that we're going to go through some hard times, difficult decisions, but it's great to see him there. It's fantastic. He should have won the first time.”

Asked if Sunak had the will to deal with the country’s problems, Gerthart said: “He seems like he has. He's quite new to politics, I believe. But he seems to be a fairly determined character. He's a very young guy. So he's got different opinions. So it'll be interesting to see. He's going to start moving very, very quickly.”

Sunak faces a series of problems, including the economic turmoil the country is going through thanks to his predecessor Liz Truss’s policies, the cost of living crisis, hyperinflation and constantly rising energy prices.

'Background does not matter'

A Scottish visitor, Paul, who only gave his first name, said the new prime minister could understand those who need support better because he is wealthy.

“Because he's a rich person and his wealth is unsubstantial, he realizes there's a lot of people who are a lot less fortunate than he is.

“And with the taxes and everything and with the fuel costs and with the pensions and everything that he needs to look at people lower down the ladder, a lot lower down the ladder than the higher class people. This is because you can't just keep making the rich people rich. You've got to look after the people who don't make so much money. And you've got to do that.”

Paul said Sunak’s Asian background should not matter at all.

“It shouldn't. No, no, it won't. It won't make any difference, he's been voted into that place. So hopefully, he'll respect everybody. And that's how it should be,” he said.

'They said the same thing about Obama'

Aileen, a 71-year-old pensioner who did not give her last name, said when former US President Barack Obama came in power, a lot was said about him too.

But Sunak will have a “good influence,” she said.

“Well, I think it's really good that he's a practicing Hindu because I think it's important for people to have religious belief and I know that they have very high standards about giving back to the community,” she said.

“So I think he will have a good presence. I think he'll have a very good influence. And I think he will try and deliver with integrity, which is something that you cannot always see in politicians," she added.

"He'll have support of a lot of other communities. And he seems to know his way around about money, which we need for the country. So that's going to be good,” she said.

"If he does a good job, if he can improve the finances of the country and look after people he can bring diverse communities together, that will be worthwhile. So there's no point. I mean, it's a surprise to have an Asian person as the prime minister but that was kind of almost like the [British] Empire reverse, in a way," she said.

'Color of the skin does not matter'

Prakash, an Asian-origin citizen who gave his first name only, said Sunak's Asian background would not matter at all.

“It doesn’t matter whether he is Asian or not. All that matters is competence. Is he competent enough to govern, very chaotic situation at this point in time?” he said.

“The color of the skin does not matter for that matter. He's more British than most British themselves. He was born and grew up here so I don't see any reason why he's any different from any other British prime ministers so far!” he added.

'What does it mean to be British?'

Alicia Parker, a model, said Sunak’s becoming prime minister is “amazing.”

“I think we're in a new generation where we need to be having more inclusivity with different backgrounds and ethnic minorities, and I think it'd be good,” she said.

“I think it was really good that he happens to get that job role on the day of the Diwali as well. I think that's amazing. And I'm really looking to see what he's going to do.”

When asked about the Britishness of the new leader, Alicia said the UK was a “multicultural country,” and Britishness of people should not be questioned.

“What does it mean to be British? I mean, we have, like, Olympic champions, like Mo Farah. Does that mean that he's not British? I mean, we can't pick and choose when someone is British and when they aren't based on race.

“I just think it's ridiculous and I think everyone just needs to get with the program that we are a multicultural country,” she said.